Assessment of spatial variation of environmental and socio-economic impact of crude oil spill in the Niger delta, Nigeria

This paper investigates the environmental and socio-economic impact of crude oil spill on the Niger Delta oil-bearing communities, Nigeria. It went further to ascertain whether the impact is location specific or has a general trend across the communities. Three communities; Mgbede, Kwale and Ekakpamre in the two core Niger Delta States; Rivers and Delta States, were identified for this study, being most densely populated with oil fields with hyper-active oil related activities. Survey research was adopted and with well- structured questionnaire, relevant data were collected on the subject. A null hypothesis was formulated which sought to find out whether there is a significant difference in the impact of crude oil spill on the three locations under study. Hypothesis testing revealed that there is no significant difference in the impact across the three communities, thus indicating that location is not a factor. Therefore the environmental and socio-economic impact of crude oil spill on the communities show a general trend and it is recommended that a holistic approach should be adopted in fashioning out strategies for mitigation and environmental protection in the Niger Delta oil-bearing communities.